INCUMBENT: Eric Lafleur (Democrat)

DESCRIPTION: Senate District 28 is located in a “transitional area” of Louisiana, where the flat lands and swamps of south Louisiana gradually give way to the hillier terrain of central and north Louisiana. Specifically, the district includes all of Allen and Evangeline Parishes, as well as most of Avoyelles Parish, the northern fringe of Acadia Parish, and the northwestern portion of Saint Landry Parish.

DISTRICT MAP:

District Map

RED/BLUE RATING (using 2008, 2012, and 2014 elections): 62% Republican

JMCEL’s SUMMARY: In general, the “line of demarcation” between North and South Louisiana has been described by the late John Maginnis as “anything beyond a 30 minute drive above U.S. 190.” Senate District 28 straddles that line, as it includes the “Cajun portion” of Avoyelles Parish, and the parts of Acadia, Evangeline, and Saint Landry Parishes in the district have a strong Cajun flavor as well. Allen Parish is more oriented towards central/north Louisiana, as is the northern fringe of Evangeline Parish.

Politically, this district has stayed loyal to the Democratic Party longer than most of the rest of rural Louisiana has, and while it is solidly Republican in Presidential races and (increasingly) in statewide races, Democrats have long dominated in area legislative races; in fact, Republicans didn’t even attempt to compete here until 2011. The current state senator is Democrat Eric Lafleur, who was elected in 2007 after term limits created an open seat race. He was elected in the runoff with 56% of the vote, and in 2011, Republicans contested the seat for the first time but came up short, as Senator Lafleur defeated him 59-41% in the primary. Senator Lafleur is allowed to seek one more term, and while he’s probably electorally secure, the fact that Bill Cassidy received 64% of the vote while Mitt Romney got 66% means that there is a base of support for Republicans that could be available to a Republican legislative candidate now or into the future.